Programmable Tripod

Z

Zhyron

Member
I have checked around the forum but don't seem to be able to find anything, I'm not even sure if such a thing exists, but I'll give it a shot.

Is it possible to buy/diy a tripod or a tripod head (or something like it that I can attach to a camera) that is programmable?
By that I mean you input for example "15 sec delay and then tilt". Press start, it waits 15 seconds and then tilts. Hope that sorta explains it.

Is there such a thing?
 
Not until recently. What you're talking about is called "motion control". The little rig I made a decade ago for shooting holographic stereograms took about a year to build using a Sears drill press and about $20k in electronics. The nice rigs used on effects shoots probably run closer to six figures, but they look nice.

There are cheaper stepper motor drivers out there for DIY, but for cinematography you need a microstep driver that multiplies a motor's 200 steps x 10 to prevent chatter. I later found out I'd chosen the same drivers used for the arm on the Space Shuttle....cool...

Looks like what you are wishing for is about to hit the market - for only 16 grand!
(also I saw a post somewhere about one made from Lego)

http://www.viewfactor.net/khxc/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=Mirus01
 
I don't know where i found it, but there was a guy that used a motorized tracking head meant for a telescope that he augmented and got some great time-lapse stuff with it. They're only a few hundred $ with a programmable controller. I think it could do what you're talking about.

Are you trying to be the camera man AND the actor?
 
yes, I've seen telescopes like that too - how easy they are to reprogram for video camera use is another matter, but worth checking out.

I'm tempted to have a go with my Lego Mindstorms kit, which has nice programmable stepper motors which should be sturdy enough to handle a light camera... hmm, I could try making a robot camera dolly the same way. It would be great for stop motion animation.
 
Motion Control is definitely what you are after. Over the past year I have gotten my fair share of time with a Mark Robert's rig which included dolly track and Scorpio follow focus.
This kit is out of most peoples price range to own although not much can compare to a proper MoCo kit and after using this set up extensively I would highly recommend renting a proper kit Vs. buying into what is bound to be a compromise in comparison, especially if you are flying a heavy rig.
I have used everything from a HVX up to a Arri 435 on it and it worked flawlessly.
Even when asking it to pull the 435 up a hill on the track which I found super impressive.
 
" Are you trying to be the camera man AND the actor?"
We're just a couple of guys that make our little movies, usually someone's not in the shot and can run the camera. But in a scene I had in mind I thought it would look better to have a moving camera.

Unfortunatly the Mirus head it a little out of our league budget wise.
You'd think it would cheaper to get something that sounds so simple.
Is there a DIY electronics genius on the board that can make these Macgyver stile?
 
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